//------------------------------// // Stupid Sexy Bat Ponies pt 2 // Story: Princess Pile Drinking Games // by GaPJaxie //------------------------------// The sun was just rising when Rainbow Dash knocked on the front door of Carousel Boutique. She yawned, waited, and turned to watch the golden light slowly fill Ponyville’s streets. It had been a long night of flying, and her new wings ached, leaving her more than ready to get to bed. But she still wasn’t used to her new nocturnal cycle, and sleeping at daybreak didn’t feel quite right. After some fruitless pacing and flying laps, she’d eventually found her way to Rarity’s home, to accomplish one last task before calling it a night. After half a minute of silence, Rainbow yawned wide. Her new ears could detect no sounds of movement within the house, much less any sign of Rarity coming to answer the door. She again lifted her hoof, and pounded on the door. There was again no answer, but this time, Rainbow only waited a few seconds before knocking again. Then again. Then she rang the bell. Then she pounded on the door with her rear hooves, and rang the bell again. Then she started using both forehooves and a wing at the same time, managing a passable rendition of the Cloudsdale Anthem with only two different knocks and one rapidly toggled bell. “Rainbow Dash!” Rarity’s voice shot out of the boutique window. “I am going to come down there, rip your wings clean off, and shove them so far up under your tail you’ll puke feathers!” “Hey Rarity!” Rainbow called back. “How’d you know it was me?” It would not have taken Rainbow’s new ears to detect the snarl that followed, nor the slamming door, nor the heavy hooves on the interior stairwell as Rarity rushed downstairs. “It’s six in the morning you cretin! You had better have a good reason for—” She ripped over her front door, staring out at Rainbow Dash in front of her. “For...” Rainbow Dash grinned as Rarity gaped, her head turned so as to show off her new fangs. She lifted her ears, spread her wings, and held her head high, one leg lifted to complete the pose. She cleared her throat as Rarity continued to gape. “Oh, I didn’t mean to wake you up Rarity. I was just about to call it a... night? And I won’t be back until evening. I just thought you want to get the news now.” “Uh...” Rarity managed, rubbing at her eyes with both hooves. She blinked, and refocused her gaze. “Yes. Uh... yes, of course. Please, come in.” Rainbow trotted in proudly, Rarity’s gaze following her. Rarity’s fluffy pink robe and slippers stood out in a sharp contrast to Rainbow Dash’s burnished armor, as her stunned expression emphasized Rainbow’s confident smirk. “I was just in Canterlot,” Rainbow explained, giving a little swish of her tail. “Luna wants her own flying team—like the Wonderbolts—and she asked me to be Captain. I know, it’s a big change on short notice, but she is the Princess of the Night and all.” “Well,” Rarity said, speaking slowly as she shut the door behind her. She was still staring at Rainbow Dash, her gaze unbroken. “You could hardly refuse a royal request.” “Exactly!” Rainbow said, tapping the Eye of Night on her chest. “It’ll require some adjustment. Sleeping during the day and guarding ponies dreams and all that. But I know I’m up to it. And it’s got a ton of cool perks.” “Well, I can see that,” Rarity agreed, stepping up to Rainbow Dash’s side. “I have to say, it’s a wonderful look for you.” Her eyes slowly traveled up and down Rainbow’s altered form. “You seem stronger than you did before,  yet somehow... svelte? It’s hard to say. It has this mysterious quality.” “I am a lot stronger now,” Rainbow agreed. She hesitated for a moment as Rarity reached out, running her hooves over Rainbow’s new wings. “Oh yeah, those are pretty cool too. They look leathery, but, they’re actually really soft.” “I can feel that.” Rarity learned over to brush her cheek against the edge of a wing. “Oh, these would present a wonderful challenge to design for.” A smile touched her face, and she folded Rainbow’s wing back, she caught Rainbow’s eyes with hers. “You’ll need an all new wardrobe of course. I’d be happy to make it for you—as a gift.” “Oh, thanks, Rarity, but the armor is kind of a uniform,” Rainbow gave a stiff chuckle, and tapped the armored chest plate twice. “Well, you’ll need something for when you’re off duty, won’t you?” Rarity asked gently. “Something slinky I assume.” “Heh...” Rainbow Dash’s smile grew stiffer, and her chuckle faded. “Why uh...” She swallowed. “Slinky isn’t really um, me. Why would I want something like that?” “Oh, Rainbow. There’s no need to be embarrassed!” Rarity tittered. “I know how bat ponies are.” “What... do you mean?” Rainbow hesitated. “Oh, come now,” Rarity cooed. “That athletic frame? Those exotic eyes? And such gentle wings. You’re quite the catch now, Rainbow. Not that you were unattractive before of course, but... well. It’s another league, isn’t it?” “Oh!” Rainbow laughed again, twitching her wings. “That’s what you meant. I mean, yeah, I’m pretty hot.” She quickly lifted a hoof to buff her armor. “But uh... I don’t know if slinky is the way I want to go. I’m not really looking to uh... date. Right now.” “Oh, come now. Let’s not be coy,” Rarity said, holding a hoof before her mouth to hide her gentle laugh. “Flying around at night with those big fluffy ears, listening in on everypony’s ah... nighttime activities?” Just a hint of blush came to her features. “Well, one can hardly blame them for what may follow.” “Them? Wait, am I then? What may follow?” Rainbow Dash asked, her ears drooped, and she looked left to right around the brightening boutique. “No, like. I mean it. What is it that follows?” “Oh, a lady couldn't possibly.” Rarity again covered her mouth with a hoof, but this time only for a moment. She soon returned it to the ground, and leaned in close. “But you know, it’s not like I use my bed during the day. And we are friends of course. So if you ever found yourself far from home and in need of... rest and recovery.” She smiled and pulled her head back. “Do know that I’m always there for you?” “Woah... woah. Hold on!” Rainbow’s ears shot up. “I... I don’t think I like what I’m hearing here! I do not go around listening in on... nighttime activities.” She scrunched up her muzzle. “Oh?” Rarity asked softly. “It was my understanding that bat ponies hearing was extremely keen.” “Well, sure. I mean... I heard... some of that. Last night. Cheerilee and Big Mac are into some weird stuff.” Rainbow scowled as Rarity smirked. “But that doesn’t mean I was doing it on purpose!” “I’m not accusing you of anything,” Rarity waved the matter aside. “Really, Rainbow Dash. I’m just being practical.” “Yeah...” Rainbow said slowly. “Well, I’m gonna... head home then. Have a nice... um... day.” Rainbow turned and hurried out, as Rarity waved her goodbye. As she flew back toward her house, Rainbow Dash hazarded a quick peek behind her. There in the distance, she saw Rarity still at the door. Only one thing had changed—she had gotten a set of binoculars. Rainbow hurried home tucked herself in under her cloud blanket, and quickly shut her eyes. “Okay,” she says. “Day 2, could have gone better. But that’s just Rarity. She was always a little loopy. I’m sure Fluttershy will love it when she finds out this evening.” She let out a breath. “Yeah,” she affirmed. “This is gonna go great.”